Although they share a common name and mechanical underpinnings, the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the Hyundai Genesissedan have little else in common. Where the Genesis sedan is a mid-level luxury cruiser, the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is an affordable, 2-door sports coupe. The coupe and sedan share some components and a few interior bits, but their personalities and missions are very different. The Genesis Coupe has a starting price under $25,000, while the least-expensive 4-door Hyundai Genesis sedan begins some $10,000 higher and approaches $50,000 for its most-expensive version. The Genesis Coupe's engine choices are a turbocharged, 210-horsepower 4-cylinder and a 306-horsepower 3.8-liter V6. A 6-speed manual transmission is available in all versions of the Coupe, while all Genesis sedans are equipped with automatics. More important than the difference between Genesis Coupe and its sedan counterpart is the fact that the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is one very cool customer, offering performance equal to or better than the Honda Accord Coupe or Nissan Altima Coupe, while offering an interior and available options more akin to those of the Infiniti G37 or BMW 3 Series.

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The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe makes a great alternative to the smaller Honda Civic Si coupe and pricier Volkswagen GTI. Driving enthusiasts will enjoy the Genesis Coupe's rear-wheel drive setup, a configuration it shares with the Infiniti G37 and BMW 3 Series.

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The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe doesn't offer the precise steering and taut suspension found on the Honda Civic Si or the pricier BMW 1 Series.

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe's ride may prove a bit too harsh for some, but that is exactly what enthusiast driver's love about sports coupes. The base and Premium models are a bit softer than the R-Spec and Track models, so you may want to test drive a few different trims to see what fits you best. Out on the road, the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe cruises effortlessly, with great power and throttle response from both the V6 and turbocharged 4-cylinder engines. Hyundai's 6-speed manual is somewhat rubbery and vague, leaving us to suggest the 3.8's ZF 6-speed automatic with Shiftronic manual paddle shifters. For those who'd gladly trade some highway comfort for better handling and road-feel, the Genesis Coupe is at its very best when being tossed back and forth down a canyon road or a racetrack.

Favorite Features

Sleek StylingIs there a more boldly styled car available for under $25,000? The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is fun to drive, but it's the sharp sheetmetal that really sets it apart.

Track TrimWhat's better than a sports coupe? A sportier one. The rear-wheel drive 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe can hang with some serious competition as is, but with a limited-slip differential, tighter suspension and bigger brakes, the Track and R-Spec trims are even more formidable.

Vehicle DetailsInterior

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe features soft-touch, high-quality plastics nicely molded into pleasing shapes around the dash, door panels and center console. A sprinkling of metal trim helps brighten an otherwise overly black cabin, as do the bright red cloth seat inserts on the R-Spec trims and the light-brown leather available on the Genesis Coupe Grand Touring model. True to its performance nature, the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe's front bucket seats hold firmly during sporting drives, yet remain fairly comfortable even after a few hours behind the wheel. True to its coupe nature, the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe's rear seat won't hold two full-sized adults and might even give kids leg cramps.

Exterior

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe wears dynamic and eye-catching sheetmetal. The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe's raked hood , short rear deck and available split-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels all scream "performance coupe," although some of the Genesis Coupe's character lines, like the disjointed drop at the base of the rear side window, seem a bit over stylized.

The Genesis Coupe is available in six trim levels. The 4-cylinder is available as base, R-spec and Premium, while the V6 is offered in R-spec, Grand Touring and Track. A fully loaded 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe features a 3.8-liter V6, 6-speed automatic transmission, navigation system, 10-speaker premium audio system, power sunroof, keyless entry and start, backup warning system, auto climate control, heated leather seats and power driver's seat. Opting for Track or R-Spec trims nets a combination of the following: limited-slip differential, track-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, 19-inch alloy wheels and HID headlights.

Under the Hood

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe's 210-horspower, 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine has plenty of strength throughout the rev range and operates smoothly with no hint of turbo lag. The 306-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 is even silkier and stronger, but the added weight forces a compromise in handling. Both engine choices offer their own advantages, and buyers will find either well-suited for daily and performance driving. Both engines are available with 6-speed manual transmissions. Those who favor automatic transmissions will get a 5-speed mated to the 4-cylinder engine, while the V6's automatic option is a 6-speed unit.

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of around $23,000 and tops out at about $33,000. To see what others are paying for their Genesis Coupes, be sure to check Kelley Blue Book's Fair Purchase Price before you shop around. We don't expect the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to hold its resale value as steadfastly as a competitor such as the BMW 1 Series, but Hyundai's days of prohibitively weak resale values are disappearing in its mirrors.

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